TRIBUTE TO THOMAS DONNELLY

Here is small tribute to Thomas from the World Snowboarding Site:

"Sad news for anyone who put in some turns with RTM snowboard School in Courchevel . Tom who was the T in RTM, has died of a heart attack. Anyone who knew, or was taught by Tom, will know that his love of our sport infused those around him. But Tom won’t just be remembered for his love of snowboarding or his bad shirts, he was also a great bloke. He always lived his life to the full and with a smile on his face.

I lived in Courchevel for five winters and I’d always be amazed, when following Tom on my board, at the line he’d take. He’d spot hits and features that I’d of boarded past for years without seeing. And that’s how he took on life, always from his line and always looking into the next couloir. He earned a lot of respect from me for that.

He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to ride with him and think of him as a friend, Courchevel won’t be the same without him. Pete WSG"

Name: Dave Horlock	Date: May 23, 2007, 5:02 pm
I didn't know Tom of RTM well (or Tom jnr as he seems to be called on here) but was shocked and saddened to read of his passing on the World Snowboard Guide website yesterday. His four or five hours of coaching improved my snowboarding no end, indeed it was his lessons that led me and many others to head back to Courchevel for two consecutive years. I'll certainly remember him next time I'm in the mountains and hopefully pass on some of the tricks he taught me to others.
Name: Willie	Date: May 21, 2007, 12:37 pm
I post this message following the last months events and reflecting on life and the various sporting passions that have brought us together. I am struck by the various levels we are prepared to go in sport. I have been to a place in battle where every muscle, nerve and sinue is at its limit, totally in the moment and remaining there in complete focus, emersed in a contest of spirits, wills and bodies, --- in the zone. It's not an easy place to get to and only happens occassionally but what a buzz it gives. Of course there's no risk in tennis other than to one's ego and I am fascinated by the places other Legends are prepared to put themselves. For some it's Extreme endurance which is not for me thank-you, too much pain! I'm talking about double marathons, iron men events, Marathon Des Sables etc. It's quite something to set these targets, train and have the strength of mind and will to see it through and there are so many Legends who have been there - Ed, Paul Ach., Dessie, Patsy, Wes, Ritchie, Clare, Paul Mag., Tom and apologies to those not mentionned. Then there's risk for an added dimension, that partial or complete lunacy mixed with adrenaline that compels us to do that which is not completely sane. Windsurfing in a force 7 is my risk limit but it's not too far up the scale. I view anybody who has put there body on the line playing high level rugby as having a few screws loose - Joey and Co. as has Des with his night time rallying. Neill, Ed and Martina's trip to the top of Mont Blanc sounded too dangerous to be entirely sensible and I don't doubt that Tom junior was at some pretty hairy places on his snowboard. Probably the no 2 risk taker in the Legends is Paul Maguire in his motor biking exploits Paris - Dakar etc. There is no doubt however who leads the list of risk takers and extreme endurance athletes and while I barely know Hannah I am so pleased she is down from Everest safely. 4 people died up Everest last week and goodness knows what traumas were suffered by those who got down. I quote from Alex Abramov's report May 16 'A little bit about sad, two persons was lost for these two days. One the Japanese 67 years he has died at the second step. And the second is Czech climber. He was lost today.' So I say many congratulations Hannah you complete lunatic. Please now give up Artic expeditions, Everest conquests etc. and settle for fell runs and maybe the odd triathlon.
Name: Shanny	Date: May 21, 2007, 10:28 am
Just want to thank so many people for sharing their love for the two Toms! I had the pleasure of living with Tom for a season in France and he was always happy, up to mischief and full of life. I am now back in Australia and didn't have the opportunity to get to the funeral but is so nice to see others loved him and his dad as much as I did. Thank you once again.
I had a phone call from Eric Lennon (father of Geoff) who wishes to be remembered to all the Lunchtime Legends. Eric,who has had tragedy in his own family since Geoff died in 2001, is very keen to keep in touch with the Legends, somthing I understand Tom did on a regular basis.

Name: philip	Date: May 15, 2007, 8:42 pm
Tom Junior thanks for the music,shine on you crazy diamond.Your zest for life and work will be remembered by many.So sorry your plans have gone unfulfilled.We have all been robbed of a special dude. Unbelievable, my deepest sympathies to Angela and the family, Bella, work mates and numerous friends.
Name: Martina	Date: May 14, 2007, 1:25 pm
How we will miss Tom Junior that beautiful, vibrant,gentle soul who lead life to the full, unrestrained by convention. Humbled I am with the dignity the Donnelly Family and friends have borne the double tragedy that has befallen them. The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. This has been reflected in the appropiate and touching choices of music chosen by Angela. For the forthright and fearless Tom Senior Bachs "Ave Verum" (Hail the Truth) For Tom Junior Edith Piaf's "Non, Je Regrette Bien" (NO REGRETS).
Name: Clare	Date: May 14, 2007, 11:53 am
I remember sitting in Tom's little vintage car one time, and he so happened to have a water pistol on the dash. He decided to show me how great it was, just as two little old ladies went walking by - he didn't really mean to actually get them - but he did - (and they didn't think it was sideways rain either as they were straight over to Tom to give him a telling off !!!) Tom Jnr was a lovely guy and I'm so sorry he isn't in our world anymore.
Name: Wes	Date: May 14, 2007, 8:55 am
Tom togather with his dad will forever be in our memories.From the sking in Courcheval to the walk up Balmoral Ave at 2am last Mon morning and the unfulfilled Fell run this Thur night! An honour to have been a friend.
Name: Paul K	Date: May 13, 2007, 10:08 pm
This news is devastating. I've known Tom jnr for 14 years, a true gent, funny, caring with an attitude to life that many, including myself, marvelled at. I will miss you so much buddy...shine silently.
Name: Birgit § Juergen (Roth, Germany)	Date: May 13, 2007, 7:48 pm
Thank you Tom for everything you've done for us. We'll miss you and we'll always keep you in our hearts.
Name: Moira	Date: May 12, 2007, 8:59 pm
While Tom Snr was a gentleman of the traditional kind, Tom Jnr was a gentleman of the modern kind. Both charming, both living life to it's fullest, it's seems so incongruous that they should both be gone. Two wonderful people who have, in their unassuming way, made the world a better place. My thoughts are with Angela, the Donnelly family and all those closest to the two Toms.
Name: Dave	Date: May 11, 2007, 8:53 pm
Just wanted to pass on some thoughts from the ski and snowboard fraternity. Tom Jr was a much loved and admired fella, who was great fun to be with and made people laugh. His zest for life was infectious and he was so down to earth and unassumming, despite being one the countries best snowboarders. We'll all miss him greatly.
Name: Ed	Date: May 11, 2007, 4:50 pm

Name: Greg	Date: May 11, 2007, 4:35 pm
I was stunned to learn today of the news of the death of Tom jr so soon after the death of his Dad. Words really fail me; two lovely people so swiftly gone. My thoughts are with Angela and the rest of the family at this sad time.
Name: Johnny	Date: May 11, 2007, 11:46 am
Tom Junior it seems we wont now get the chance to sit and play those tunes together as planned - I feel angry that you have been taken from us in this way but I temper my anger by feeling blessed that I knew someone who was so in love with life and all its opportunities and challenges - give your Dad a hug for me and the family when you see him and tell him we all miss him.
Name: Q	Date: May 11, 2007, 11:41 am
It's me again. I receive a daily meditation from Henri Nouwen (quite a well known author) and this was the one I got today that I found so appropriate I decided to post it as well--hope you find it as helpful as I did. Q Holding the Cup We all must hold the cups of our lives. As we grow older and become more fully aware of the many sorrows of life - personal failures, family conflicts, disappointments in work and social life, and the many pains surrounding us on the national and international scene - everything within and around us conspires to make us ignore, avoid, suppress, or simply deny these sorrows. "Look at the sunny side of life and make the best of it," we say to ourselves and hear others say to us. But when we want to drink the cups of our lives, we need first to hold them, to fully acknowledge what we are living, trusting that by not avoiding but befriending our sorrows we will discover the true joy we are looking for right in the midst of our sorrows.
Name: Q	Date: May 11, 2007, 11:39 am
I have been away in Germany and only now find out about the death of both of our Tom’s. What a shock and what a sadness. Good ol’ Tom, such a kind and generous and caring man. I too am grateful for the privilege of having known both Tom and Tom Jr. I suppose even amidst the deep sadness some blessing can be found—a clearer perspective on true friendship, a greater appreciation for life, a keener sense of what is truly important in life, of what will last and what will fade away. I am reminded of Paul’s (the apostle who wrote some letters in the Bible) words to “run the race set before us” and to “run so as to win the prize”. In memory of Tom, let us run the race of life with renewed vigour and purpose.
Name: Matthew Wilson	Date: May 11, 2007, 10:48 am
Tom Junior. Like so many i warmed to Tom so easily. His outdoor lifestyle and down to earthness made him such a likeable person. I was so shocked and stunned to hear about his passing. He like his Dad will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to Angela and the wider Donnelly family.
Name: Neill Grainger.	Date: May 11, 2007, 9:32 am
Ed is wright - sense of adventure, free spirit, flamboyant, kind and gentel - I had a true fondness for "Little Tom" and I will miss him. I can imagine him now running at pease with his Dad. My thoughts go out to you Angela and to all the Donnelly clan.
Name: John Mc Closkey	Date: May 11, 2007, 1:12 am
I was deeply saddened to hear of Tom's passing, life doesn't often offer one the the great privilage and good fortune to meet someone like Tom,he wrote me a lovely letter a few years ago thanking me for a very minor favour, I kept it & will treasure it even more now,he was a true gent. What a tragic week this has turned out to be with the loss of young Tom as well.My sympathy goes to his family and to the legends who knew these men best...
Name: mark s	Date: May 10, 2007, 4:31 pm
This news is almost too shocking to digest - The Two Toms, twin branches of the one tree and now both gone from us. It's unfathomable and it's unfair. To the family circle, I pray that TIME and the TOMS may somehow soothe you through your tremendous loss.
Name: Gavin	Date: May 10, 2007, 3:47 pm
As Edward says this is all scarcely believable and almost crushing in its iniquity. Tom Junior was always caring, considerate and tremendous company, whether it be in the pub or out on the bike. A tremendous loss of someone with such a great love of life. As the chant went up at the Legends Christmas Do "There's only two Tom Donnellys". Both were a credit to each other and I can only offer my deepest sympathy and support to Angela.
Name: Ed Smith	Date: May 10, 2007, 3:30 pm
It is with disbelief and great sadness that the Legends have learned of the death of Tom junior -just a day after he buried his dad.We had shared with him and keenly felt that loss and it seems utterly unfair that he too is gone -a life cut short before a full blossoming. Within the Legends 'family' 'Little Tom' possessed the qualities we love and admire -a sense of adventure built within a free spirit,a flamboyance and with it a great kindness and also a great gentleness. We feel we have been robbed of enjoying those qualities into a new generation. We feel his sister Angela's pain,the burden of her suffering at this double loss and offer our profound sympathy.